Returnable can carrier

ABSTRACT

A container carrier of flexible resilient material includes an array of loops for surrounding and holding full cans. Slots are provided in the carrier for receiving levers of pop top cans therein and for holding emptied containers by the pop top levers held in the slots.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/480,756, filed Jun. 23, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to plastic carriers having an arrayof loops for engaging and holding individual containers, such asaluminum cans containing beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Container carriers are used frequently to unitize a plurality ofcontainers into conveniently saleable quantities. Plastic carriers haveachieved wide acceptance for their performance, lightweight, low costand versatility in being adaptable for containers of different sizes andshapes. The general design for plastic carriers includes apertures in astretchable plastic. The apertures are sized and shaped to stretcharound the periphery of the containers to be held. Automated machineryis available for attaching stretchable plastic carriers to containersquickly and efficiently. Typically, the carrier includes some type ofhand grasp or handle, which may be at the side of the containers, or mayrise above the containers.

[0004] Carriers of this type are known in many different styles andshapes. Some are single ply, and others multi-ply, at least in portionsthereof. Carriers of this type have been used widely and have achievedgreat acceptance.

[0005] The need for and desirability of recycling containers are everincreasing. Many communities have enacted strict recycling laws. Toencourage recycling of containers, it is known to require payment of adeposit on the container when the product is purchased. Upon returningthe empty containers, the container deposit is refunded to theindividual returning the containers.

[0006] It has been known to crush aluminum cans to reduce the spacerequired for storing and transporting them for recycling. Many crushedcans can be contained in a relatively small bag or box. Since paymentfrom recyclers to those returning the cans typically has been based onweight, crushing the cans before returning has been an acceptable andwidespread practice.

[0007] It is now known in some jurisdictions to provide relativelyexpensive deposits on aluminum containers to encourage the returnthereof. Since the deposit is calculated on a per can basis, it isnecessary to count the containers to calculate the refund. Whilecounting crushed cans is possible, the task is somewhat time consuming,difficult and can be messy in that small amounts of the beverage mayremain in the container and spill from the crushed can which often isruptured along the side or bottom when crushed. So-called “reversevending” machines are gaining popularity. The empty can is placed in themachine, and payment is dispensed from the machine based on can countreceived. The machines work best if the cans being deposited arerelatively intact.

[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a means for returning cansintact for deposit into the machine, and for carrying the cansconveniently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention meets these objectives by providing aplastic carrier of the stretchable type with additional slots forsecuring the empty cans. The carrier can then be used to return the cansin the same quantity and package as originally purchased. Furtheradvantageously, the carrier itself can be recycled at the location atwhich the cans are received.

[0010] In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a containercarrier with an array of interconnected loops for holding unopenedcontainers. The array includes material forming a margin around theloops; and slots in the margin are configured for attachment to opencontainers.

[0011] In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides acontainer carrier for pop top cans having a rupturable opening and alever integral with the can for opening the can upon elevating the leverrelative to the can. The carrier has an array of interconnected loopsfor encircling individual cans. The array includes material forming amargin around each loop; and slots in the margin are configured toencircle a lever of an opened can.

[0012] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides apackage of opened pop top containers having bendable levers associatedtherewith for opening the container. The package includes a carrier ofsubstantially sheet-like material forming an array of loops forsurrounding containers, and at least one empty container having a leverinserted through a slot defined in a margin of the material.

[0013] An advantage of the present invention is providing a carrier thatcan be used for returning empty cans for recycling in addition tocarrying the full cans from the retailer.

[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is providing a moresanitary way for handling empty beverage containers for recycling.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the followingdetailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals areused to designate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container carrier in accordance withthe present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1, withfull beverage cans held thereby; and

[0018]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carrier shown inFIG. 1, with empty beverage cans held thereby.

[0019] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompassthe items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to FIG. 1 inparticular, a container carrier 10 in accordance with the presentinvention is shown. Carrier 10 is used to form a package 12 (FIG. 2)that includes a plurality of cans 14. Commonly, carrier 10 is used forbeverage cans 14, but also can be used with cans 14 or containers ofother types holding other fluids.

[0021] Carrier 10 includes an array of a plurality of loops 16, each ofwhich can be stretched to receive a can therein, as known to thoseskilled in the art. A handle portion 18 is provided along the side ofthe cans, with the loops 16 receiving the cans substantially midwaybetween the top and bottom of the cans. It should be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the specific type of carrier shown.The invention can be used with carriers having top handles or nohandles, carriers for more or fewer cans 14, carriers for cans of othershapes and for carriers that grasp the cans near ends of the cans.

[0022] Carrier 10 is made of a flexible, resilient material that can bestretched significantly without breaking. Low-density polyethylene is asuitable plastic from which carrier 10 can be made. In some embodimentsof carrier 10, two juxtaposed webs or sheets may be used welded togetherand having a central handle. In other known forms of carrier, a singleply of sheet-like material is used. The present invention can be usedfor these as well as other carrier constructions.

[0023] A plurality of relatively narrow slots 20 is provided in carrier10, one slot 20 for each can 14 that carrier 10 is designed to hold.Thus, for each loop 16 a corresponding slot 20 is provided. In theexample shown in the drawings, six cans 14 are held by carrier 10 in sixloops 16, and six slots 20 are provided. Slots 20 are provided in themargin of material that forms loops 16. In the example shown slots 20are provided in slightly enlarged flaps 22 of the margin materialforming loops 16.

[0024] Carrier 10 may further define one or several voids 24 to allowstretching of loops 16 by automated equipment for attaching carrier 10to a group of cans 14. The size, shape, location and number of voids 24will vary depending upon the type of carrier 10 and cans 14 being used.Such features of carrier 10 are well-known to those skilled in the art,and will not be described in greater detail herein.

[0025] Cans 14 held by carrier 10 are typical pop-top type cans having alever or key 30 that is lifted to pivot above its fulcrum 32, to rupturean opening 34 in can 14 from which the contents of can 14 is poured.Thus, each lever 30 has a first end 36 by which it is grasped andoperated, and a second end 38 forming the opening 34 by depressing arupturable area of can 14. First end 36 and second end 38 are providedon opposite sides of fulcrum 32.

[0026] Carrier 10 is used as known to package cans 14 for distributionand sale. Automated equipment can be used to stretch each loop 16 andinsert a can 14 therein. Flaps 22 will lie substantially flat againstthe sides of cans 14. Cans 14 are removed from carrier 10 in knownfashion, by twisting or pulling each can 14 to release it from loop 16in which it is held. In some embodiments of carrier 10, it is known toprovide an outer margin portion having tabs and tear lines for releasingcontainers 14 held in loops 16 by tearing the carrier to open each loop16. The present invention can be used with such carriers by providingslots 20 in inward portions of the material forming each loop 16, sothat the locations of slots 20 are relatively stable even after loops 16have been opened to release the individual containers 14 held therein.

[0027] After a can 14 has been is emptied, it can be re-attached tocarrier 10 via one of the slots 20. First end 36 of lever 30 is insertedinto slot 20 and slid therethrough until the material adjacent slot 20encounters fulcrum 32. Slot 20 can be stretched to slide over second end38, then surrounding fulcrum 32. As illustrated in the fragmentary viewof FIG. 3, lever 30 is disposed on one side of carrier 10, with the bulkof can 14 disposed on the opposite side of carrier 14. Empty cans 14 areheld securely by carrier 10, suspended therefrom by each lever 34.Handle 18 or one or another of the empty loops 16 can be used as ahandle for carrying the package of empty cans. The empty cans are heldsecurely, yet are removed easily for deposit into a reverse vendingmachine or the like. Cans 14 are held upright, reducing accidentalspillage of any beverage or other fluid remaining in opened cans 14.

[0028] Repackaging carrier 10 with empty cans 14 also facilitatesrecycling of carrier 10. After cans 14 have been removed at therecycling facility, carriers 10 also can be collected separately.

[0029] The present invention provides an easy and convenient device forcarrying empty cans for the purpose of returning and recycling the cansto receive a return of the deposit therefrom. The cans along with thecarrier can be properly recycled.

[0030] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within thescope of the present invention. It is understood that the inventiondisclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations oftwo or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from thetext and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitutevarious alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodimentsdescribed herein explain the best modes known for practicing theinvention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize theinvention. The claims are to be construed to include alternativeembodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0031] Various features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container carrier comprising: an array ofinterconnected loops for holding unopened containers, said arrayincluding material forming a margin around the loops; and slots in saidmargin configured for attachment to open containers.
 2. The carrier ofclaim 1, said margin including one said slot for reach said loop.
 3. Thecarrier of claim 1, said slots being adapted for encircling a lever of apop-top can.
 4. The carrier of claim 3, said margin including one saidslot for reach said loop.
 5. The carrier of claim 4, said array beingmade of stretchable resilient material.
 6. The carrier of claim 5, saidmaterial being low-density polyethylene.
 7. The carrier of claim 1,including flaps in said margin, and said slots being defined in saidflaps.
 8. The carrier of claim 1, including a flap formed in a marginportion of each said loop, and said slots being defined in said flaps.9. A container carrier for pop top cans having a rupturable opening anda lever integral with the can for opening the can upon elevating thelever relative to the can, said carrier comprising: an array ofinterconnected loops for encircling individual cans, said arrayincluding material forming a margin around each said loop; and slots insaid margin each configured to encircle a lever of an opened can. 10.The carrier of claim 9, including one said slot for each said loop. 11.The container carrier of claim 10, each said slot configured to receivea first end of a lever of a can, and to be pulled over a second,opposite end of the lever received therein.
 12. The container carrier ofclaim 9, said material being low-density polyethylene.
 13. The containercarrier of claim 9, including flaps in said array and said loops formedin said flaps.
 14. The container carrier of claim 9, including a flapformed in said margin of each said loop, and one said slot defined ineach said flap.
 15. A package of opened pop top containers havingbendable levers associated therewith for opening the container, saidpackage including: a carrier of substantially sheet-like materialforming an array of loops for surrounding containers, said loops havingmargin of said material; a plurality of slots in said margin; and atleast one empty container having a lever inserted through one of saidslots, said slot configured to grasp said lever and hold said emptycontainer.
 16. The package of claim 15, said lever having first andsecond ends and said at least one container having a fulcrum connectingsaid lever and said at least container between said ends, said slotsurrounding said fulcrum with said lever on an opposite side of saidmaterial from said container.
 17. The package of claim 15, said materialbeing low-density polyethylene.
 18. The package of claim 15, including aflap of said material in each said loop, and a said slot defined in eachsaid flap.
 19. The package of claim 18, including a plurality of saidcontainers each secured in a different said slot.
 20. The package ofclaim 15, including a plurality of said containers each secured in adifferent said slot.